The pain of Bill Paxton‘s sudden death over the weekend is still being felt, and what has emerged in the days since are countless stories of his kindness and generosity to colleagues and fans. There has also been a new appreciation for Paxton’s incredible talents, and if there is any silver lining to be taken from his passing, it’s that there are a couple more movies left from the actor to share. This spring we’ll see Paxton in the tech thriller “The Circle,” but coming first is “Mean Dreams.”
Playing the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and the Toronto International Film Festival last year, the drama is directed by Nathan Morlando (“Edwin Boyd“), also stars Sophie Nélisse, Josh Wiggins, and Colm Feore, features an original score by Son Lux, and follows a teenage romance threatened by an increasingly abusive situation at home. Here’s the official synopsis:
MEAN DREAMS follows courageous local farm boy Jonas (Josh Wiggins) and the new girl next door, Casey (Sophie Nélisse), as they embark on a journey that will change their lives forever. As young love blossoms between the two fifteen year olds, Jonas also discovers that Casey’s abusive home life has reached a new level of danger, and Jonas takes the lead in their escape by stealing a bag full of drug money from Casey’s corrupt father – local cop Wayne Caraway (Bill Paxton). With the stolen cash as their only means to a better life, Casey flees with Jonas and together, under relentless pursuit from her father, they learn the hard truth of what it will take in order to survive. In the end, Casey and Jonas are forced to make a life-altering choice from which there will be no turning back. A potent coming of age thriller, MEAN DREAMS brings together the desperation of life on the run and the beauty and wonder of first love.
“Mean Dreams” opens on March 17th.